Joy for the Journey: Finding Hope in the Midst of Trialናሙና

As we close out our joyful journey, I want you to think about who is guiding you on your journey to joy. Is it you? Is it your loved one? Is it a friend?

Or is it God?

We need God to be our compass and guide us through the trials we face, or we might miss out on an important turn, hit a rock, and fall further and further away from His joy, plan, and purpose.

A compass is a vital tool for camping, hiking, or activities where you spend considerable time outdoors, especially alone. This instrument remains steadfast through poor weather conditions and is easily packable. The compass is a reliable safety precaution for people of all ages.

A compass's singular purpose is to tell you what direction you are heading in at all times, which prevents you from getting lost. Typically, hikers and backpack travelers rely on compasses to get them to their destinations because a single wrong turn can be disastrous—even life-threatening. But by using a compass to locate true north, finding your way accurately is simple.

We each have been gifted a compass to guide and direct our journey. You have one, and your loved ones have their own.

The compass is consistent . . . it never changes; it is always accurate, always reliable, always steady, and always points us to our destination.

So is our heavenly Father. He’s faithful, and He’s our TRUE NORTH.

When we choose to trust our Compass, He will always lead us to a place of JOY… regardless of our situation. We can find Joy in the Journey.

It’s not a matter of putting on a fake smile and pretending to be happy when the reality is that you are hurting. It’s not about pretending you don’t suffer, struggle with doubts, or fail to see how God can bring anything good out of the situation.

It’s a matter of choosing to find His joy amid the heartache. It’s a matter of submitting to God’s plan instead of our own and realizing that His ways are not our ways… but His ways, in the end, are always good because He is good.

Today, whatever may be holding you back from finding joy on this journey, write it down. I want you to give it to God. I want you to have faith and trust God with what is weighing you down and making you weary.

Our attitude during trials is important. When the struggle continues, we can grow weary and feel tired, broken, and discouraged.

But when we remember that joy is our hidden weapon, it gives us strength to help us persevere when we think we can’t go further. By remembering that this battle is the Lord’s, we can know His joy and have the strength to persist.

If you find you need more encouragement in this journey, I encourage you to seek out Finding Hope, a support group for those who have loved ones in addiction.